SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fujitsu Semiconductor America today introduced a new FM4 family of 32-bit general purpose RISC microcontrollers based on the ARM® Cortex™-M4 processor core, featuring DSP and floating point (FPU) functions. In addition, Fujitsu is introducing a new FM0+ family of devices based on the Cortex-M0+ core.

The Fujitsu FM3 family, introduced in 2010, now includes 463 products. With the introduction of the FM4 and FM0+ families, Fujitsu will offer more than 700 ARM-based devices featuring a consistent architecture and maximum design flexibility, along with the high performance and low power required by customers.

The new FM4 family covers the highest end of the product range with DSP and FPU capabilities not available in the FM3 family. All products in the FM4 family will be equipped with the FPU, along with SDRAM and SD card interface functions. The FM4 series also features an expanded variety of packaging options as well as a wide range of timers and serial communications functions. The devices integrate high-quality and reliable flash memory technology from Fujitsu.

In addition to inverter control functions, various communication functions, CAN, USB 2.0 and Ethernet support, the FM4 family is equipped with high-speed serial communications functions and high-speed, high-performance AD converters. These features make the FM4 products ideal for motor controls and network controls in factory automation applications, as well as for inverters and other industrial equipment.

FM0+ Family Targets Lowest Possible Power Consumption

The FM0+ family of energy-efficient models employs a power-efficient Cortex-M0+ core and features the peripheral functions of the FM3 family, all delivered with high-quality flash memory technology. Compared with the previous Cortex-M0 core, the Cortex-M0+ core achieves 10 percent improved processing performance while consuming just two-thirds of the power.

Functions that reduce power consumption are built into the microcontrollers, enabling the FM0+ family to target an operating current of 70uA/MHz and a standby current of just 0.7uA (in RTC mode). The low power consumption makes the new MCUs ideal for portable devices or other power-constrained applications such as battery-operated devices and electronic meters, and sensor controls.

Planned Enhancements to Existing FM3 Product Line

Fujitsu has revised its original estimate of the FM3 family upward to include a total of 570 products by 2013. Low-power technology, an important characteristic of the FM3 family, will be used to develop new products with additional features, such as more than 1 megabyte of flash memory. Fujitsu also is continuing to develop low-pin-count models with optimized peripheral functions. The continued expansion of the FM3 family will provide an optimal range of products for applications requiring low-power consumption and large memory capacity, such as AV equipment, multifunction printers, and compact and modular devices.

"Because these new products feature the latest three types of Cortex-M series processor cores, customers can select products to suit a broader range of applications," said Akio Nezu, senior manager of marketing at Fujitsu Semiconductor America. "Designers can utilize the enhanced scalability of each core to smoothly transition from low-end to high-end equipment, or vice-versa."

Availability

Fujitsu plans to begin releasing sample quantities of products in these new families starting in 2013, and will begin full-scale production of these products later in the year.

Fujitsu Semiconductor America, Inc. (FSA) is a leading designer and developer of innovative semiconductor products and solutions for new generations of consumer, communications, automotive and industrial products. FSA provides a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality, reliable semiconductor products and services throughout North and South America. Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Fujitsu Semiconductor America (formerly Fujitsu Microelectronics America) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited (FSL), Japan.

Company and product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and subject to change without advance notice.